What’s The Difference Between Drifting With An Electric Car And A Regular Car?

Drifting is a driving technique that involves intentional over-steering of the rear tires. The over-steering creates a stunning slide that produces white smoke caused by friction between the tire and the road.

Not all vehicles can successfully perform a drift, however. After all, it often requires a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) car. A RWD vehicle is capable of this feat because the car’s engine delivers its power to the rear wheels, which pushes the car forward. As a result, the front wheels are free to steer the vehicle.

Due to the excitement that drifting provides, it is considered a sport by many. Regardless of the intention, it is essential that drivers quickly and safely execute their drifts. Various cars in the market are capable of performing exceptional road techniques such as drifting. With the introduction of electric vehicles, drivers are presented with even more choices.

Read on to find out what the differences between drifting with an electric car and a gas-powered automobile are.

Weight

Weight affects various aspects of a drifting car. Since there are more options for conventional vehicles, drivers and mechanics who want to use a lightweight vehicle for drifting may choose between the different fuel-powered automobiles available.

But why opt for a lighter car for drifting? For one, regular and light cars allow for rapid control when driving around corners. Corner drives are fundamental characteristics of the sport, after all. Moreover, conventional vehicles allow for exceptional command, as seen through its quick stopping features. Lastly, fuel-powered cars come with less complicated tire spins.

When compared to fuel-powered vehicles, electric cars are heavier because of their larger batteries. Hence, electric cars come with more ground power. On top of that, they also provide excellent lateral grip. This feature enables tires to maintain standard steering control under extreme driving conditions. And because of the vehicle’s superb lateral grip, drivers can stay safe at all times while showing off their driving techniques. Finally, heavyweight cars offer more control when sliding, which is essential to drifting.

Horsepower and Torque

Some car drifting techniques, such as the power-over drift, require excellent horsepower. An engine’s power is measured by its horsepower, which is, in turn, determined by the ratio of power and a car’s weight. Most often, a high ratio indicates a faster vehicle. If an automobile has a high horsepower, then it only takes a few seconds for it to advance from zero to 60 miles per hour (mph). Another critical element of a drift car is torque. A higher torque is responsible for rear wheels’ spin.

In terms of horsepower and torque, an electric vehicle (EV) poses an advantage. EVs utilize more horsepower since they have fewer moving parts. These reduced parts entail greater drift efficiency. For instance, EVs can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just a couple of seconds. On the other hand, it can take a regular car a few more seconds to properly accelerate. In most cases, electric automobiles are two times quicker than conventional vehicles.

Moreover, EVs offer instant torque production which entails an instantaneous start. This feature allows the driver to drift right away. However, an EV’s torque diminishes as the motor-generator runs. This means that an electric car may have an edge at the start, but may be gradually overtaken by a regular vehicle during a drift.

Differentials

Another vital part of drifting is the limited-slip differential (LSD). This device can be installed in regular cars to assist drivers in drift control, especially when there’s more than one turn involved. LSD permits an automobile to transfer the torque to the wheel that experiences resistance and the transmission of torque is not limited to a single wheel. As a result, LSD can transfer the torque to one or all four wheels.

Moreover, LSD is responsible for the same spin rate of a car’s wheels. This way, drivers can drift more comfortably through corners. Furthermore, the device enhances car performance by producing a higher degree of resistance. This feature is useful because it allows vehicles to perform corner drifts at high speeds. LSD also provides safety to drivers since it improves overall vehicle control and helps drivers gain better control after a spin. However, LSD poses a challenge to mechanics since it requires greater maintenance than its counterpart, the open system. Due to increased performance, clutch plates can quickly experience wear and tear, requiring more frequent oil changes.

On the contrary, most electric cars do not have differentials. Rather, they have in-wheel electric motors that serve as a substitute for differentials. These motors transfer the torque directly to the wheels. As a result, drivers are given greater control and efficiency when drifting.

Suspension

Drifting successfully involves weight-shifting. Tightening the car’s suspension can help with the seamless execution of this technique. After all, a tight suspension allows for greater car control during high-speed scenarios.

The suspension system of a conventional car can be changed to make it tighter or looser. On the contrary, most EVs have built-in regenerative suspension systems. These systems help a car adapt to any changes in driving style, as seen through their different drifting techniques.

Cooling System

Lastly, a regular car’s cooling system needs to be updated every now and then. Upgrading a car’s cooling system is necessary so it can handle the constant drifts. On a similar vein, since drift cars require more power, vehicles become more prone to overheating. That’s why an improved cooling system entails greater safety and efficiency.

On the other hand, most electric cars have cooling fluids to prevent battery overheating. Aside from the liquid coolant, EVs include a fan to maintain a regular temperature. Moreover, the charger also needs to stay cool since the battery shouldn’t be overheating while it’s charging. This is why every charger comes with a cooling agent. Mechanics can expect more freedom when changing the cooling system of a regular car than an electric vehicle since an EV has an integrated cooling system.

There are several points for consideration when choosing between a fuel-powered vehicle and an electricity-powered vehicle. Each one has its pros and cons so the ultimate deciding factor will depend on your needs and preferences.